The Word of God

Going beyond the Bible

It is important to realize that, in the Bible, the phrase “Word of God” may not be referring to the Bible. We have become accustomed to thinking that the Word of God is synonymous with the Bible and yet the Bible itself points out that it is more than that.

In a historical context, the word “word” in used in conjunction with the king. The “word of the king” was a decree, promise or a law – an expression of the king’s authority. In the Old Testament, God is often viewed as a king and so any expression of His authority would be His word. The word of the Lord came to Abraham in Genesis:

Genesis 15:4-5
Then the word of the LORD came to him: "This man will not be your heir, but a son coming from your own body will be your heir." He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

God made a promise to Abraham. Even today, when we make a promise to someone, we refer to it as giving them “our word”.

John refers to Jesus as the word of God that became flesh. Jesus is the expression of God’s authority in human form. John points out that the Word of God can be expressed through something other than words on paper. Jesus points out that the Word is more than just something to be read and studied:

John 5:37-40
And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

John 7:14-17
Not until halfway through the Feast did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. The Jews were amazed and asked, "How did this man get such learning without having studied?"
Jesus answered, "My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.

The Bible is the Word of God in written form, Jesus is the Word of God in human form but we too can speak the Word of God with the Holy Spirit in us.

2 Samuel 23:2
"The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me;
his word was on my tongue.

This is what Paul means when he refers to the “sword of the Spirit”.

Ephesians 6:17
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

This verse is usually used to refer to the Bible as the Word of God but Paul was referring to our ability to speak with authority by the Holy Spirit. The things of God are often multi-dimensional and the Word of God proves to be as well.